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A Vision for All to See: A report on global eye health and vision care

MEDIA RELEASE

Today marks World Sight Day, an annual day to focus global attention on blindness and vision impairment. In support of this effort, Brien Holden Vision Institute releases A Vision for All to See: A report on global eye health and vision care, aimed to raise awareness of the impending crisis of myopia and presbyopia and to create a call to action that prioritises this growing issue.

Approximately 640 million people suffer from uncorrected refractive error – the leading and most easily avoidable cause of vision loss. Two of the most rapidly increasing refractive error conditions are myopia (near sightedness or when vision is poor at a distance and better up close) and presbyopia (difficulty for the aging eye to focus up close without additional optical assistance).

In 2010, nearly 1.4 billion people were impacted by myopia worldwide and this number is expected to increase to 2.5 billion by 2020. In Singapore alone, approximately 70% of college graduates have myopia, and in China, studies have shown that as many at 78% of children age 15 have the condition. As a result of the world’s aging population and increased life expectancy, presbyopia is also on the rise. In 2010, the condition affected more than one billion people worldwide and is estimated to grow to 1.5 billion by 2050.

“Vision impairment is one of the world’s major causes of loss of wellbeing – ranking just below HIV/AIDS. If left untreated, conditions like myopia and presbyopia can have an immense impact on people’s visual welfare and social well-being, and ultimately, quality of life,” said Professor Brien Holden, world leader in vision science and founder of the Brien Holden Vision Institute. “In addition to the human costs, global lost productivity resulting from vision impairment, specifically uncorrected refractive error, is estimated at US $202 billion.”

For most, an eye test and a pair of glasses can help correct the immediate problem of myopia, however they don’t treat the underlying cause – elongation of the eye. As someone with myopia ages, their eye continues to elongate, increasing their risk of other eye conditions including retinal damage, detachment, glaucoma and cataract.

“It is critical that we implement the technology we are now developing for slowing the progress of myopia with specially designed Myopia Control contact lenses and spectacles, and lifestyle changes for children. This will significantly reduce the morbidity of high myopia, with Myopic Macular Degeneration becoming the major cause of blindness in Asia, Myopia Control strategies will save the sight of tens, even hundreds of millions of people in the future,” said Professor Holden.

“Vision impairment imposes a vicious circle of poverty and disability on individuals and families,” said Professor Holden. “Poverty can prevent access to eye care services for many people with refractive error and the lack of correction can result in unemployment and further poverty. World Sight Day is an excellent time to remind each other of the importance of getting our eyes tested.”

Research and subsequent action are essential to address the underlying causes of these growing eye conditions and gaps in access to care. Brien Holden Vision Institute is continuously researching and developing breakthrough technologies and products that improve vision – in the near- and long-term. Recognising that these advancements are only helpful if utilised, the Institute has also trained almost 50,000 eye care personnel around the world to administer eye tests and prescribe glasses.

“We know that a simple eye test is the first step to maintaining good eye health, and I would encourage everyone to make an appointment to visit their local eye care professional,” said Professor Holden.

To learn more about the impact of avoidable blindness, visit www.brienholdenvision.org to view A Vision for All to See: A report on global eye health and vision care.

ENDS

About The Report On Global Eye Health And Vision Care

Taking care of your eyes is just as important as taking care of the rest of your body. We only have one pair of eyes and protecting our sight is vital to our families, communities and society in general. The aim of A Vision for All to See: A report on global eye health and vision care is 1) to raise awareness of the impending crisis of myopia and presbyopia and the potential human and economic impact worldwide if left untreated and 2) create a call to action that prioritises the issue and creates a sense of urgency for the development and implementation of solutions.

We focus on innovation in refractive error correction, the most common eye problem and its seemingly simple solution. With the support of our industry partners, we research and develop breakthrough technologies and products that improve vision. The revenues from this work then allow us to invest in sustainable eye care programs around the world – helping to eliminate vision impairment and avoidable blindness, thereby reducing poverty and suffering.

Through the combination of innovative research with education and service infrastructure, Brien Holden Vision Institute has worked in 54 countries, provided optometric services and glasses to over 2.5 million people at its 429 vision centers and eye care sites, and trained almost 50,000 eye care personnel around the world.